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Bentley feeling lucky

Jim Bentley admits he thought his Morecambe side were fortunate not to concede a stoppage-time penalty in a 1-1 draw with Exeter.

Last Updated: 19/02/14 12:49pm

Jim Bentley admits he thought his Morecambe side were fortunate not to concede a stoppage-time penalty in a 1-1 draw with Exeter.

Referee Andy D'Urso backtracked on a decision to award the Grecians a penalty in the third minute of stoppage time, which led to a melee between several players and a red card for Morecambe's Jamie Devitt for an apparent head-butt.

But once order was restored, D'Urso outraged the home fans and Exeter boss Paul Tisdale by awarding a free-kick instead as the game ended in a controversial draw.

Tisdale had seen his side go in front inside two minutes through Tom Nichols but Padraig Amond equalised early in the second half for Morecambe.

"When the challenge came in I thought it was a stonewall penalty," Bentley said.

"The referee pointed to the spot but the linesman has obviously got a better view on that side and put his flag up. Our players said afterwards it was a blatant dive. I can't say any more until I see it again.

"The main thing for us is we have lost Jamie Devitt, who was quality for us, to a straight red and that is disappointing. He has got one more game left of his loan and we want to take him for another month.

"Obviously he will miss three games now and we will have to assess that. He is not that type of person but as soon as you put your head into the player you run the risk."